My favorite short story from the novel is "The lives of the dead". This story seemed to be the most sincere of them all. This story was not set in the war but in Tim O'brien's childhood. I really like the fact that the story used Linda to relate the theme of war instead of the actual fighting that went on in Vietnam. Linda represents a loss of innocence, and her death shows the affects it has on others in real life.
My least favorite short story from the novel has to be "The Things They Carried". This story seemed to drag on forever, and did not catch my attention. I did not think that it should have been the first story of the novel because it made me lose interest in reading. The only thing i remember is the constant listing of the things the soldiers carried, whether it have been physical or mental. It also took me awhile to comprehend the whole purpose of the story.
I sympathize with Jimmy Cross and Tim O'brien the most. They had their lives on track, and they both knew what they wanted to do, but that was all stripped away from them because of the war. Its like they lost the meaning of their lives. Jimmy Cross didn't ask to be the leader of his troop, but thats what he was given, which isolated and put even more pressure on him in the war. So naturally when a mistake is made he blames himself and so does everyone else. O'brien doesn't even agree with the war, nor does he know what he is fighting for. He struggles with wanting to run away or accepting the draft. If he were to run he would have had to leave his family, friends, and everything else he knew, and he would have been seen as a coward or traitor. But if he goes to the war he's basically giving up control of his life. So either way he can't win.
My least favorite character has to be Azar. Most people don't like him because he killed a puppy, but that didn't really bother me. It's the fact that he made fun of Kiowa's death and he enjoys scaring Bobby Jorgenson way too much. He simply takes war to a whole different level. Its almost as if he lost his sense of humanity.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
writing prompts
STORY vs. ESSAY - The movie Precious deliberately tells an ugly the truth about life. The movie shows that every home does not have the perfect life. The main character is a teenage girl named Precious. She was sexually abused as a child by her father, and has two children by him. Her mother also sexually and physically abuses her because she is filled with hate that her own husband chooses there daughter instead of her. Also her mother abuses her because she has been abused in her past, and she can't help but to continue the cycle.
Eventually Precious meets a woman who shows her that true loving parents doesn't abuse their children. The woman helps Precious to learn how to take care of her own children. The director makes it seem as though Precious won't find a way out of her situation, and she will continue the abusive cycle, but she does. This shows that everyone's walk of life is different, there is always a solution to their problems.
THE HEART IN CONFLICT - The Blind Side is a great example of heart in conflict, whether you read the book or watch the movie. The protagonist is Michael Oher, and the narrator is Leigh Anne Tuohy. Oher goes through life being in poverty and in the ghetto, but all he wants to do is take care of his mother even though she hasn't been good to him because of her drug abuse. After a friend of Oher's takes him in and gets him enrolled into a private school, he struggles alot with learning and fitting in. Leigh Anne Tuohy and her family take Oher into their home, and show him what a true family is like. Oher finds that he is good at football, and gets offered scholorships to play at many colleges. His "family" are big fans and graduates from the University of Mississippi, so he ends up accepting their scholorship, but he goes through some troubles in order to play there. He is investigated because so many coincidences revolve around him going to Ole Miss. His tutor got a better job at Ole Miss once he was accepted, and his parents have donated money to the football program for a long time. But he proves that his reasons for wanting to go the University of Mississippi are legitimate, and he goes on to continue his dream.
Eventually Precious meets a woman who shows her that true loving parents doesn't abuse their children. The woman helps Precious to learn how to take care of her own children. The director makes it seem as though Precious won't find a way out of her situation, and she will continue the abusive cycle, but she does. This shows that everyone's walk of life is different, there is always a solution to their problems.
THE HEART IN CONFLICT - The Blind Side is a great example of heart in conflict, whether you read the book or watch the movie. The protagonist is Michael Oher, and the narrator is Leigh Anne Tuohy. Oher goes through life being in poverty and in the ghetto, but all he wants to do is take care of his mother even though she hasn't been good to him because of her drug abuse. After a friend of Oher's takes him in and gets him enrolled into a private school, he struggles alot with learning and fitting in. Leigh Anne Tuohy and her family take Oher into their home, and show him what a true family is like. Oher finds that he is good at football, and gets offered scholorships to play at many colleges. His "family" are big fans and graduates from the University of Mississippi, so he ends up accepting their scholorship, but he goes through some troubles in order to play there. He is investigated because so many coincidences revolve around him going to Ole Miss. His tutor got a better job at Ole Miss once he was accepted, and his parents have donated money to the football program for a long time. But he proves that his reasons for wanting to go the University of Mississippi are legitimate, and he goes on to continue his dream.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
quote of the week:)
**those who criticize our generation forget who raised it.
Ahh if this doesn't explain the caos thats going on in the world i'm not sure what does. I don't comprehend how our elders want us to be leaders, follow the rules, overachievers, and do what's right when they don't set a good example for our generation; i mean the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree. I want someone to stand up, and lead by example. I despise when i am told "do as i say, and not as i do." So until one generation decides to be a role model for others, our society can not advance.
Ahh if this doesn't explain the caos thats going on in the world i'm not sure what does. I don't comprehend how our elders want us to be leaders, follow the rules, overachievers, and do what's right when they don't set a good example for our generation; i mean the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree. I want someone to stand up, and lead by example. I despise when i am told "do as i say, and not as i do." So until one generation decides to be a role model for others, our society can not advance.
Things Carried
The things i must have with me when i leave home: my purse [holds my life]
my ring [my dad gave it to me]
phone [is always by my side]
itouch [i love music]
calculator
wallet [need cash, debit/credit card, and license]
pens, pencils, highlighters [i like to take notes and color code them]
car and house keys
jacket [i am forever cold]
make-up
female products [have to be prepared]
food [i eat all of the time]
If someone were to look at most of these items and know the meaning behind them, i think they would learn that family and friends and my christianity are very important to me.
my ring [my dad gave it to me]
phone [is always by my side]
itouch [i love music]
calculator
wallet [need cash, debit/credit card, and license]
pens, pencils, highlighters [i like to take notes and color code them]
car and house keys
jacket [i am forever cold]
make-up
female products [have to be prepared]
food [i eat all of the time]
If someone were to look at most of these items and know the meaning behind them, i think they would learn that family and friends and my christianity are very important to me.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
sen10r year.
So I've been doing alot of thinking, and I just realized that i only have five months and two weeks left of high school. I'm really excited about being done, but once the end comes there is no going back. I'm going to have to leave the only environment I've known. Frightening and yet exhilarating. As of now I have no futher thoughts of this situation.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The Kite Runner Study Guide
1. Women: In the novel, women were not seen as equals to men. They had to keep themselves conservatively dressed with their faces covered.
Betrayal: Amir and Hassan were raised together. They were breast fed from the same women. They were raised as brothers aside from the fact that Hassan was Amir's servant. Hassan always stood up for
Amir, but when Hassan needed Amir to save him Amir simply ran like a coward. This caused the end of their relationship.
Brothers: Although Hassan and Amir are raised almost like brothers, they never realize thats what they truely are until towards the end of the novel. Hassan never finds out the truth about Amir being his blood, but Amir does. Amir knowing this makes him regret his decisions on how he treated Hassan.
Guilt: Amir suffers with hidden guilt after he sees Hassan gets raped because he did nothing to stop it. Hassan's rape doesn't stay hiddin forever though. Hassan tells his father the whole story, and they both leave. This sort of comforts Amir because he knows someone knows his secret, but Amir's father is still in dark as to why the man who was his servant, friend, brother left.
Redemption: After Amir learns Hassan is dead, he becomes determined to bring Hassan's orphaned son to America to live with him. By doing this, Amir feels set free of the guilt he felt built up toward Hassan.
Exodus: When the Russians invaded Amir's country alot of families, including Amir and his father, leave to find safety. Amir and Baba smuggle themselves into a nearby country, and then leave for America.
Fathers and Sons: Amir and his father are a direct representation of patriarchal society. Amir strives to please his father, but always falls short. His father is always a little bit disappointed that Amir is not like him.
Class distinction: Amir and Hassan were always persecuted becauses of their relationship. Hassan is Hazara, and Amir is Pashtun. Also Hassan was Amir's servant and in those days it was not common to associate with those of different beliefs and different class ranks.
2. Parallelism: Hassan and Amir's friendship can be seen as parallel with the invasion of Afghanistan by the Russians. Their country begins to go downhill while they live together. When they boys friendship reaches its breaking point because of Hassan and Ali leaving, shortly following their country is invaded by the Russians. Character Foils: Amir and his father, Baba, were complete opposites. They were so different that they even questions if they were father and son. Amir wasn't an athlete; he was more interested in writing. He also didn't stand up for himself because he wasn't a fighter. His father was an athletic man. He had power and always stood up for what he believed in.
Forshadowing: In the book, Hassan's first word was Amir, and Amir's first word was Baba. This forshadows Hassan's loyalty to Amir and Amir striving for the approval of his father, Baba.
Flashbacks: Amir always has constant flashbacks of events that occurred with Hassan. He tries to forget about Hassan so his guilt won't surface, but he doesn't accomplish this.
Positives and Negatives: The novel was absolutely great. It really opened my eyes to what the Middle East was like. The author accomplished this without using too much fancy and over-decorative writing. The one downfall of the novel was the grafic scenes it contained. They did need to be written, but once I read them I had to put the book down for awhile.
3. Settings: Kabul, Afghanistan in the 1933-1970s Fremont, California in the 1980s
The role of women in America vs. the role of women in Afghanistan, Pashtun vs. Hazara, Afghanistan under monarchy rule vs. republic rule, Afghanistan before and after the Russian invasion,
4. Minor Characters: Rahim Khan was Baba's best friend. He also understood Amir and helped him with his problems. Ali was Hassan's 'father'. He was also Baba's servant. Baba saw his as a brother; they were both raised together. Ali was the one who took Hassan away after he found out about the rape. Soraya is Amir’s wife. She brought love back into his life, and she covinced him to return to Afghanistan to get Sohrab and bring him to live in the U.S. with them. Sohrab is Hassan's son. He is the key to Amir letting go of his guilt. Assef was the leader of the bullies that tortured and raped Hassan.
5. Symbols: Baba's House symbolizes protection and security. Flying kites was the thing to do in Afghanistan. Kite fighting was hard, and often people were left with scars. Even though people went through alot of pain and hardwork, winning was always worth it. The kite symbolizes endurance. Hassan's slingshot skills were amazing. He used it to save Amir, and Sohrab saved Amir with a slingshot, just like his dad. The slingshot symbolizes courage. The pomegranate tree shows Hassan and Amir's relationship. They carved their names into the tree and it produced fruit. When Hassan died the tree still existed but no longer produced fruit. Sohrab was a symbol of the good that Amir wanted to have in his life.
Betrayal: Amir and Hassan were raised together. They were breast fed from the same women. They were raised as brothers aside from the fact that Hassan was Amir's servant. Hassan always stood up for
Amir, but when Hassan needed Amir to save him Amir simply ran like a coward. This caused the end of their relationship.
Brothers: Although Hassan and Amir are raised almost like brothers, they never realize thats what they truely are until towards the end of the novel. Hassan never finds out the truth about Amir being his blood, but Amir does. Amir knowing this makes him regret his decisions on how he treated Hassan.
Guilt: Amir suffers with hidden guilt after he sees Hassan gets raped because he did nothing to stop it. Hassan's rape doesn't stay hiddin forever though. Hassan tells his father the whole story, and they both leave. This sort of comforts Amir because he knows someone knows his secret, but Amir's father is still in dark as to why the man who was his servant, friend, brother left.
Redemption: After Amir learns Hassan is dead, he becomes determined to bring Hassan's orphaned son to America to live with him. By doing this, Amir feels set free of the guilt he felt built up toward Hassan.
Exodus: When the Russians invaded Amir's country alot of families, including Amir and his father, leave to find safety. Amir and Baba smuggle themselves into a nearby country, and then leave for America.
Fathers and Sons: Amir and his father are a direct representation of patriarchal society. Amir strives to please his father, but always falls short. His father is always a little bit disappointed that Amir is not like him.
Class distinction: Amir and Hassan were always persecuted becauses of their relationship. Hassan is Hazara, and Amir is Pashtun. Also Hassan was Amir's servant and in those days it was not common to associate with those of different beliefs and different class ranks.
2. Parallelism: Hassan and Amir's friendship can be seen as parallel with the invasion of Afghanistan by the Russians. Their country begins to go downhill while they live together. When they boys friendship reaches its breaking point because of Hassan and Ali leaving, shortly following their country is invaded by the Russians. Character Foils: Amir and his father, Baba, were complete opposites. They were so different that they even questions if they were father and son. Amir wasn't an athlete; he was more interested in writing. He also didn't stand up for himself because he wasn't a fighter. His father was an athletic man. He had power and always stood up for what he believed in.
Forshadowing: In the book, Hassan's first word was Amir, and Amir's first word was Baba. This forshadows Hassan's loyalty to Amir and Amir striving for the approval of his father, Baba.
Flashbacks: Amir always has constant flashbacks of events that occurred with Hassan. He tries to forget about Hassan so his guilt won't surface, but he doesn't accomplish this.
Positives and Negatives: The novel was absolutely great. It really opened my eyes to what the Middle East was like. The author accomplished this without using too much fancy and over-decorative writing. The one downfall of the novel was the grafic scenes it contained. They did need to be written, but once I read them I had to put the book down for awhile.
3. Settings: Kabul, Afghanistan in the 1933-1970s Fremont, California in the 1980s
The role of women in America vs. the role of women in Afghanistan, Pashtun vs. Hazara, Afghanistan under monarchy rule vs. republic rule, Afghanistan before and after the Russian invasion,
4. Minor Characters: Rahim Khan was Baba's best friend. He also understood Amir and helped him with his problems. Ali was Hassan's 'father'. He was also Baba's servant. Baba saw his as a brother; they were both raised together. Ali was the one who took Hassan away after he found out about the rape. Soraya is Amir’s wife. She brought love back into his life, and she covinced him to return to Afghanistan to get Sohrab and bring him to live in the U.S. with them. Sohrab is Hassan's son. He is the key to Amir letting go of his guilt. Assef was the leader of the bullies that tortured and raped Hassan.
5. Symbols: Baba's House symbolizes protection and security. Flying kites was the thing to do in Afghanistan. Kite fighting was hard, and often people were left with scars. Even though people went through alot of pain and hardwork, winning was always worth it. The kite symbolizes endurance. Hassan's slingshot skills were amazing. He used it to save Amir, and Sohrab saved Amir with a slingshot, just like his dad. The slingshot symbolizes courage. The pomegranate tree shows Hassan and Amir's relationship. They carved their names into the tree and it produced fruit. When Hassan died the tree still existed but no longer produced fruit. Sohrab was a symbol of the good that Amir wanted to have in his life.
Friday, November 13, 2009
asdfjkl; my week!
So along with having to teach at dance team try-outs, this week ended up being...different. I went on a field trip with my unified pe class to practice playing basketball at GC&SU because we're getting ready for special olympics. Also after school i had fashion show practice while I was supposed to be at dance! Thursday finally came and it was time for the fashion at school. Well while we were having a dress rehursal someone decided to steal my phone! Of course I had everyone and everything searched until it was found. Luckily it showed up in someone's bag; I honestly don't care if it was them who took it, i'm just glad I have it back. Otherwise the fashion show was AMAZING. I had a total blast being apart of it. Friday finally came and I was looking forward to having my first normal day this week, but that didn't go as planned. I totally missed first period, I thought it was a Thursday lol. Then we had a drug bust during second period!!!!!! So after it was finally over I was on my way to third period and I turned the corner and ran into two huge police dogs! Now i'm pretty sure we've discussed my fear of dogs so my reaction was absolutely rediculous to say the least. And finally when I made it to my class we we're even allowed to go teach at the pre-k because we wouldn't have had enough time :/ Then I go to body sculpting when the bell rings but my teacher shows up 20 minutes into class and tells us to change back into our clothes because we weren't going to work out. This is when we discover a classmate's phone got stolen while we left was in the locker room. So the whole class got searched and I missed a few minutes of lunch (but that wasn't a big deal). Finally my day returns to being somewhat normal and dance try-outs are held. Then finally drive off to my house to regroup lol.
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